GRAND FORKS — Single-game tickets for the UND men’s basketball team’s matchup against Alabama at the 3,031-seat Betty Engelstad Sioux Center are sold out.
All single-game tickets went on sale starting Monday, Oct. 14, when the North Dakota Champions Club presale began. Presale tickets dwindled Tuesday, and all tickets remaining for the general public sold out within hours on Wednesday.
There are limited season tickets still available for fans to purchase through the Ralph Engelstad Arena box office.
“We are thrilled to announce that our men’s basketball game against Alabama on December 18th is officially sold out,” UND deputy athletics director Erik Martinson said. “The energy and support around this game has been incredible, and we can’t wait to see the Betty packed with excitement. For those who missed out on tickets, we still have season tickets available at the UND/REA Box Office that guarantee your spot for not only this game but every game this season.”
The first-ever game between the two programs,
set for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 18,
will feature Devils Lake, N.D., native and former North Dakota State forward Grant Nelson.
Nelson was named North Dakota’s Mr. Basketball as a senior in 2019-2020 before playing three years at NDSU. He is 6-1 against UND in his college career, scoring a career-high 36 points against the Fighting Hawks on Jan. 27, 2023 – his last game against UND – in a 91-75 Bison win.
Alabama advanced to the Final Four last season, losing to eventual NCAA champion Connecticut. Nelson posted two double-doubles in the NCAA Tournament, including a 19-point and 15-rebound effort in the Final Four against UConn.
“When Grant Nelson decided to go back to Alabama, coach (Jamie) Stevens reached out immediately to see if they had interest in bringing Grant back to his home state for a game,” UND coach Paul Sather said after the game was announced May 30. “To coach (Nate) Oats credit, they jumped on it.
“Not often do you get a potential Top-5 ranked team to come to Grand Forks. It should be an awesome environment and opportunity to compete against a great team on our home court.”
Alabama is ranked No. 2 in the first AP Top 25 poll of the year, which was released Monday.
Heather Reardon, the director of ticket operations, said about 80% of presale tickets were sold to Champions Club members.
Some of the available tickets were held back for both teams, Reardon said.
Tickets may become available on the resale market next week, too.
“What we had available for single-game tickets, we did sell through that allotment,” Reardon said. “In about a week, season ticket holders will be able to post their tickets and so there will be some opportunities to buy them through the resale platform.”
All single-game tickets for the 2024-25 season can be purchased
